Global Warming I

A brief introduction to climate change and Narragansett Bay


State Standards

RI GSE LS2 (9-11)

Context of Lesson

This is one of the lessons in a unit investigating human impact on Narragansett Bay. At this point students will have examined and investigated different species of Narragansett Bay as well as their habitats and how humans have effect them through habitat destruction, pollution, and introducing invasive species. Now students will begin to look at Narragansett Bay as part of a global picture, impacted by global problems such as global warming.

Opportunities to Learn

Depth of Knowledge
Level 1
  • Define global warming
  • Identify effects of global warming in the bay
Level 2
  • Illustrate and graph the effect of increased carbon dioxide on temperature
Level 3
  • Hypothesize the impact of increasing carbon dioxide

Prerequisite Knowledge

Plans for Differentiating Instruction
Process: Differentiated instructional methods
  • Inquiry Based Learning: Use of inquiry based learning will help create a student centered learning experience.
  • Cooperative Learning: Use of cooperative learning will help students by allowing the group to investigate individual species and coming together as a whole to make meaning of a larger concept (invasive species conference and effect on class food web).
  • Use of multiple methods of delivery such as labs, readings and group discussion will help to accommodate multiple intelligences.

Accommodations and modifications
  • Student A: Accommodation needed for writing skills and comprehension of directions. Explicit instructions will be given in written and oral form. Graphic organizer will be provided for reading homework assignment.
  • Other accommodations or modifications will be made according to IEP protocol.

Environmental factors
  • Lesson to take place in class\
  • Students to work in groups

Materials
Per Student
  • Article: Rising temperatures throw nature a curve
  • Greenhouse effect lab
Per lab group
  • Two clear 2 - liter bottles
  • Two thermometers
  • Clay
  • Two seltzer tablets
  • Heat lamp

Objectives Students will be able to...

  • Define global warming
  • Summarize the effect of increasing carbon dioxide on temperature

Instruction

Opening
Questions (Written on board)

Segue
  • Review student answers
  • Today we are going to investigate the some of the causes of global warming.
  • We will:
    • Define global warming
    • Investigate the effect of carbon dioxide on temperature
    • Share our research

Engagement
  • Students to complete the lab activity -

  • Students can work in groups of 3 or 4
Closure
  • Discuss results with students.
  • Carbon dioxide has a greater heat capacity.



Assessment

  • Greenhouse effect lab activity

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